Army staff sergeant comes home after 9 months in Afghanistan

An Army staff sergeant from the Tri-Cities is welcomed back home today after spending nearly a year overseas.

Brianna Carter was in Afghanistan for nine months.

She provided behavioral health assistance for thousands of soldiers.

Carter flew into the Tri-Cities last night.

This afternoon, members of Tri-City ACES (American Citizens Encouraging Support) surprised Carter and her family in Richland.

They walked up to their home with flags and sang songs of support.

Carter says reservists like her usually don't get a homecoming, so this was a very nice surprise.

"It's a little overwhelming, but it's such a great feeling to know that people care about us, people care about what we're doing, and that people haven't forgotten about us. Because there's times when we're over there and we think that people have forgotten about us, because we're halfway across the world. So it's very nice to know that people haven't forgotten about us" said Carter.

Carter's husband, who is also in the military, has been overseas four times.

The couple has three children.

Carter may have to return to Afghanistan, but not for at least six months.